About Me

Marlan Warren is a free-lance publicist who promotes entertainers and book authors (Roadmap Communications and Book Publicity by Marlan, respectively). She is also a film maker (Roadmap Productions), Reiki Master/Teacher (Light Hands Reiki Studio and Institute), Screenwriter, Novelist, PhotoJournalist, Tai Chi practitioner.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:Interview with Author Jennifer K. Jordan: “I wanted to give a snapshot of fathers’ wisdom from across the world.”

What
began as a simple tribute to honor the wisdom and love of her father
became a life-altering journey for Jennifer K. Jordan, author of DADLY
Wisdom. Recently Jordan sat down with journalist/blogger Marlan
Warren to reveal her 14-year process to gather insights from fathers
she believes (according to the book’s back cover) “represent humanity at
its best.”

Q: Did any of the interviews surprise you?

A:
All of the interviews did that. Every time I interviewed a father, I
was so impressed and moved that I thought I could never meet another
such fine human being. I was in awe of all the fathers and their love
for their children, and their dedication to helping their families no
matter what.

I was surprised when Cain Credicott spoke to me for
two hours for his interview. He is extremely busy as the
Editor-in-Chief of Paleo Magazine, so I didn’t think his interview would
be so long.

When I listened to Bernard Sayone and Tomas Kovar
talk about their experiences in the Holocaust, I was constantly amazed. I
learned more about the Holocaust from interviewing them than I had in
any school, book or film. Bernie and Tomas also inspired me because they
now work to promote peace in the world instead of being victims of such
a difficult past.

Q: How did you select the fathers?

A: I
interviewed over 100 fathers, but I included 52 in the book because
some of the stories were too similar. Also, I interviewed some fathers
back in 2000-2002, and when I started working on the project again in
2013, I was not able to contact them. Each father had to sign a release
form so that I could use his story in the book.

I looked for
fathers who had a reputation for being wise, successful professionally
and with their families. I also looked for people who had a service
ethic for contributing to their community in addition to their family.

I
asked people for referrals of wise fathers from local areas, other
states and other countries. Sometimes a father whom I interviewed then
referred me to other wise fathers whom he knew. I also looked for
fathers who represented different professions, ethnicities, religions,
races, geographic locations and family structures. Thus, I interviewed a
couple of single fathers and a gay father in order to honor all voices
of fatherhood. I wanted to give a snapshot of fathers’ wisdom from
across the world.

Q: Are you still in touch with any of the fathers?

A:
I am still in contact with some of the fathers from the book, and I’m
sure that many of the fathers interviewed would come to an event
featuring DADLY Wisdom.

Q: What was the most challenging aspect in putting this book together?

A:
The hardest part of doing the book was getting release forms and essay
reviews back from fathers. Many of the fathers are extremely busy and
didn't have time to get things back to me right away. For instance,
Congressman Alan Lowenthal would often be in Washington, D.C., so I had
to wait awhile to interview him and get his release form.

One
very sad situation involved one of the fathers whom I had interviewed in
the early 2000s by phone when he was in Tel Aviv, Israel. He was a
cross-cultural psychologist who dealt with Arab/Israeli conflict
resolution. I received word that he had passed away, and I was unable to
contact his family members; so I could not include his story.

When I asked him what he thought the solution was to the Middle East conflict, he replied, "Humanity has to grow up."

It was hard making cold calls asking for interviews, but I did!

Q: What was your happiest moment when you felt "Yes! This is all worth it!"?

A:
I always felt it was worth it. Fourteen years ago, I felt spiritually
called to write it. Every interview blessed me more than words can
express. I cried after almost every one because I was so moved by what
the fathers shared. They all spoke from their heart, which was amazing
since most had just met me.

I’ve had great fun delivering the
book to local fathers who were not able to attend the book launch. I
felt like Santa. All of them were so happy to receive the book, and I
felt incredible joy being able to share the book’s love and message.

I
also received cards from some of the fathers. John Solheim, CEO of
Ping, wrote me a letter that brought me to tears—telling me how honored
he felt to be in the book. I felt so honored to have him in the book.

Q: Are you working on another book?

A:
I feel called to write my children’s book on anorexia that will give a
wise message of healing, loving one’s body and choosing life-giving
actions.

Q: If you could choose three words to describe your own father's wisdom, what would they be?

A:
Succinct, simple, sane, realistic, balanced, fun-filled, gentle,
relaxed, joy-filled, promoting joy and enjoying life. I could not pick
just three. I learned more from what he did and how he lived than from
what he said. My father worked hard, had professional success and played
a lot. He was “forever young.” And he loved my mom, brother and me.

Q: Did your father ever say or do something that you never forgot, and helped you in the making of this book?

A: “You can do the deal.” My father was no longer alive when I returned to
writing the book in 2013, but he used to say that to me about doing other
matters. His words gave me courage and confidence that I could finish this
“deal.” I've always been tenacious, and I will continue to be so to help get
the word out about this book.

This
interview was originally
published in the blogs L.A. Now and Then and Roadmap Girl’s Book Buzz,
and distributed by PR.com (picked up by Broadway World Books News).